Washing Attachment and System

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a washing attachment and washing system wherein the washing attachment includes a main body having a wall that at least partially circumscribes and defines a main conduit. A plurality of teeth extends from the wall of the main body. Each of at least some of the teeth defines therein an extending conduit being in communication with the main conduit. A plurality of openings along such teeth provides communication between the extending conduit and an external area. A plurality of bristle extensions also extend from the wall of the main body and align along the base of the teeth. In use, fluid passes from a connected hose, through the main conduit, through the extending conduits, and through the openings in the teeth to the external area to wash an object.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a hose-attachable apparatus andsystem for washing an object, and more particularly to a washingattachment and system for washing a brush-like object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Maintaining the cleanliness of objects, such as paintbrushes, after useoften requires that the object be rinsed with a fluid such as water or amore particularized cleaning fluid, such as paint thinner. Washing aused paintbrush to remove debris, e.g., paint, discourages the debrisfrom more permanently attaching itself to the bristles of the brush. Notwashing away paint from a brush after use can lead to the paint dryingto the bristles, which makes it more difficult to thereafter remove thepaint from the brush. Further, improper washing can lead to clumping ofthe bristles of the brush, which thereafter makes the toe of the brushless even and consistent. Accordingly, thorough washing of objects suchas paintbrushes after use is usually desired.

Thoroughly washing away debris from an object such as a used paintbrushcan require the use of a large amount of washing fluid. It is oftenpreferable to rinse the paintbrush with only fluid free of any debris,such as by running the brush under running, clean water. However, thisleads to the use of a significant amount of water. Alternatively, toreduce the amount of water used, users will on occasion repeatedly dunkthe debris-covered bristles of the brush in a batch of cleaning fluid.While this conserves the amount of fluid used to wash the brush, theefficiency of this cleaning method generally decreases during theprocess, as the debris transfers from the bristles of the brush andmixes with the cleaning fluid such that subsequent submersions of thebristles in the mixture expose the brush to less-clean fluid than thefluid originally in the cleaning batch. The inefficiency of such asystem can require increased time to thoroughly remove the debris fromthe brush. Further, the bristles of a delicate paintbrush, such as anartist's brush, can be damaged if a washer presses the heel of the brushagainst the bottom of a washing basin or otherwise too roughlyman-handles the bristles during cleaning, which some washers are proneto do in their attempts to separate bristles to allow access of washingfluid to debris otherwise trapped between bristles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present washing attachment and system provides a washing device andsystem that efficiently, quickly, and thoroughly accommodates washing ofan object such as a paintbrush, by allowing for interaction of washingfluid, combing teeth, and brushing bristles against the object whileallowing for adjustments to the washing attachment and system toaccommodate the washing of objects of varying sizes and levels ofdurability or delicacy.

The washing attachment includes a main body that has a wall that defineswithin the main body a main conduit. A number of teeth are supported bythe wall of the main body and extend from the wall. Each tooth issupported by the wall at its base, such that the tip of each toothpoints away from the main body. In some embodiments the teeth of thewashing attachment are arranged in a first row with each of the teethbeing spaced evenly from its neighboring tooth or teeth.

Within each of at least some of the teeth are extending conduits. Insome embodiments, each of the teeth of the washing attachment includesan extending conduit. In other embodiments, only some of the teeth ofthe washing attachment include extending conduits. An extending conduitpasses through its respective tooth from the base of the tooth towardthe tip. The extending conduits within the teeth are configured to be incommunication with the main conduit. At least according to someembodiments, the extending conduit within a tooth does not pass all theway to the tip of the respective tooth.

Each of the teeth containing an extending conduit further includes anumber of teeth openings. According to some embodiments, the teethopenings are back-angled notches arranged in a series along one side,such as the front side, of each respective tooth. In other embodiments,the teeth openings are slits cut along the length of the correspondingtooth. In some embodiments, each tooth includes an equal number of teethopenings that are equally spaced along each respective tooth. In otherembodiments, the number of teeth openings included on a respective toothvaries from one tooth to another.

The washing attachment further includes a number of bristle extensions,which are supported by and extend away from the wall of the main body ofthe washing attachment. The bristle extensions are lined along the basesof the teeth. According to some embodiments, including those in whichthe teeth are arranged in a single row, the bristle extensions arearranged in at least one second row in front of the row of teeth, suchthat the teeth openings are directed toward the bristle extensions.

In some embodiments, the wall of the main body is configured to becylindrically shaped with the main conduit passing through the center ofthe main body. In such embodiments, the main body further includes a capthat covers the upper or distal end of the main conduit. The lower endof the main conduit remains essentially open so as to allow fluid to bepassed into the main conduit from the open end.

The washing attachment further includes a hose attachment adapter thatis supported by the wall of the main body and is connected to the wallnear to the open end of the main conduit. The hose attachment adapter isconfigured to accommodate connection of the washing attachment to ahose. In some embodiments, the washing attachment further includes aflow control valve that is configured to selectively allow adjustment offluid pressure of fluid passed through the main conduit and out throughthe teeth openings via the extending conduits. In some embodiments, theflow control valve is integrated with the hose attachment adapter.

The washing attachment is further configured to be used within a washingsystem such as a system including a hose connectable to the washingattachment via the hose attachment adapter, where such hose is connectedto a reservoir of fluid to be used to wash an object. As such, in use,cleaning fluid passes out of the reservoir, via a reservoir outlet,through the hose, into the main conduit of the main body via the openend of the main conduit, out of the main conduit into the connectingextending conduits in the teeth, and finally out of the extendingconduit via the teeth openings to an external area in which the objectto be washed should be present. Where such object is a paintbrush,therefore the paintbrush can be held over a waste receptacle of thewashing system and the fluid passing through the washing attachmentapplied toward the bristles of the paintbrush to encourage debris on thepaintbrush to wash down into the waste receptacle. With the teeth of thewashing attachment inserted between the brush bristles of the paintbrushso that the tips of the bristle extensions contact the brush bristles, auser can comb the teeth of the washing attachment through the brushbristles and move the bristle extensions along the surface of thepaintbrush bristles as the cleaning fluid flows through the teethopenings. As such, the movement of the teeth through and against thedebris on the brush bristles, the contact of the water from the teethopenings against the debris upon the brush bristles, and the contact ofthe bristle extensions against the debris on the brush bristlesencourages the debris to wash off of the brush bristles and into thewaste receptacle. Therefore, the washing of the brush is accomplishedrelatively quickly, efficiently, and thoroughly with minimized use ofcleaning fluid.

In other embodiments of the washing system, such as those configured forwashing a paintbrush using paint thinner, the washing system furtherincludes a filtration system configured to separate the debris from thecleaning fluid and to recycle the separated cleaning fluid to continuingwashing the paintbrush. That is, cleaning fluid free of any debrispasses from a hose, into the washing attachment, and out of the teethopenings towards the brush bristles to be washed and thereaftercollected with the washed-away debris within a waste receptacle. Assuch, the waste receptacle receives a mixture of debris and cleaningfluid. The mixture of debris and cleaning fluid passes from the wastereceptacle into a filtration system in which a filter, such as a solidsfilter, and, in some embodiments, a secondary filter, are configured toseparate the debris from the cleaning fluid and to return the purercleaning fluid, relatively free or completely free of debris, back intothe hose and toward the washing attachment for continued use in cleaningthe paintbrush. Again, the washing attachment within the washing systemaccommodates a relatively quick, efficient, and thorough washing of anobject with minimized use of cleaning fluid.

In some embodiments, the washing attachment further includes aselectively-removable sleeve having defined therein at least one cavityconfigured to receive at least one of the teeth of the washingattachment. As such, the sleeve is configured to selectively cover oneor more of the teeth and the corresponding teeth openings of the coveredtooth or teeth so that, during use of the washing attachment, cleaningfluid is discouraged from exiting the teeth openings that are covered.Accordingly, when the width of an object to be washed is less than thewidth of the total span of the plurality of teeth of the washingattachment, one or more sleeves can be slipped over those teeth thatextend beyond the width of the object so as to limit the effective widthof the washing attachment to a width that corresponds with the width ofthe object to be washed.

In some embodiments, a sleeve defines a number of cavities eachcorresponding to the relative size of the teeth of the washingattachment such that each tooth is snugly received within acorresponding cavity when the sleeve is removably placed over one ormore teeth. In other embodiments, a sleeve defines only one cavity suchthat more than one tooth is received within the cavity when the sleeveis placed over a number of teeth.

In some embodiments, the washing attachment includes a removable sleeveconfigured to receive therein all of the teeth of the washingattachment, which sleeve accommodates protection of the tips of theteeth and prohibits unwanted interaction of the teeth with other objectsor people when the washing attachment is not in use. Such a sleeve,during use of the washing attachment, can be completely removed from thewashing attachment so as to expose all of the teeth openings to theobject to be washed. Alternately, such a sleeve can be selectivelyremoved and replaced so that only a portion of the sleeve covers fewerthan all of the teeth of the attachment, with the remaining portion ofthe sleeve extending away from the washing attachment. In suchembodiments, therefore, a single sleeve accommodates adjustment of theeffective width of the plurality of teeth of the washing attachment.

Even after an object has been washed, the teeth and bristle extensionsof the washing attachment accommodate further interaction with theobject. For example, after all paint has been removed from a paintbrush,the teeth and bristle extensions of the washing attachment can befurther combed through the bristles of the paintbrush so as to encouragedrying of the bristles and even distribution of the bristles as theydry, thereby discouraging clumping.

The combing action of the teeth and the bristle extensions duringwashing and the relatively even flow of fluid from the series of teethopenings also encourage an even washing of the bristles of a paintbrushand even distribution of the cleaning fluid exiting the teeth openingswithout necessitating manhandling of the bristles. As such, the washingattachment and system are suited for use in washing even a delicateobject such as a fine-haired artist's brush.

Because, in use, debris on an object being washed is acted against byeach of (1) the teeth of the washing attachment, (2) the cleaning fluidexiting the teeth openings, and (3) the bristle extensions along thebase of the teeth, embodiments of the washing attachment and systemprovide for efficient, quick, and thorough washing of an object such asa paintbrush. The availability of a removable sleeve accommodates use ofthe washing attachment and system with a variety of sizes of objects tobe washed, such as varying sizes of paintbrushes. At least in someembodiments, the ability to vary the pressure of the fluid exitingthrough the teeth openings further provides flexibility to theattachment and system so that low fluid pressure can be selected forcleaning a delicate brush while high water pressure can be used forwashing a brush with heavy-duty bristles.

The purpose of the Summary is to enable the public, and especially thescientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology to determine quickly, from acursory inspection, the nature and essence of the technical disclosureof the application. The Summary is neither intended to define theinvention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is itintended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

Still other features and advantages of the claimed device and systemwill become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description describing preferred embodiments of thedevice and system, simply by way of illustration of the best modecontemplated by carrying out the device and system. As will be realized,the device and system are capable of modification in various obviousrespects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, thedrawings and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regardedas illustrative, and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the front and right sides of a washingattachment according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the right side of a washing attachmentaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the left side of a washing attachmentaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the top of a washing attachment according tothe first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the bottom of a washing attachment according tothe first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of the front side of a washing attachmentaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of the rear side of a washing attachmentaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a partial, perspective view of the uppermost areas of thefront and right sides of a washing attachment according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 9 is an elevation view of the front side of one of the plurality ofteeth of a washing attachment according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an elevation view of the right side of one of the pluralityof teeth of a washing attachment according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an elevation view of the front side of one of the pluralityof teeth of a washing attachment according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional, bottom view of the washing attachmentaccording to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 taken along line A-A.

FIG. 13 is a partial, perspective view of the top and uppermost rearsides of a washing attachment, according to the first embodiment, withits plurality of teeth inserted amongst the brush bristles of a brush tobe washed.

FIG. 14 is a partial, perspective view of the top and uppermost frontsides of a washing attachment, according to the first embodiment, withits plurality of teeth inserted amongst the brush bristles of a brush tobe washed.

FIG. 15 is a partial, perspective view of a washing attachment,according to the first embodiment, with its plurality of teeth insertedamongst the brush bristles of a paintbrush to be washed and positionedabove a waste receptacle.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the front and right sides of a washingattachment with a sleeve covering some of the teeth of the washingattachment, according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the front of a sleeve of a washingattachment according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an elevation, cross-sectional view of the sleeve of FIG. 17taken along line B-B.

FIG. 19 is an elevation, cross-sectional view of a sleeve of a washingattachment according to a fourth embodiment, taken along a line likethat of line B-B in FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a diagram of a washing system including a washing attachmentaccording to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a diagram of a washing system including a washing attachmentaccording to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the front and right sides of a washingattachment with a sleeve covering all teeth of the washing attachment,according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the front and right sides of a washingattachment with a sleeve covering only some of the teeth of the washingattachment, according to the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the front and right sides of a washingattachment according to an eighth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the washing attachment and system are susceptible of variousmodifications and alternative constructions, certain illustratedembodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will bedescribed below in detail. It should be understood, however, that thereis no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed,but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications,alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit andscope of the invention as defined in the claims.

As shown FIGS. 1 through 24, the washing attachment and system provide ameans for each efficiently, quickly, and thoroughly washing an objectsuch as a paintbrush with minimized use of washing fluid. It furtherprovides means for adjusting the effective fluid pressure andfluid-expelling area so as to accommodate washing of objects of varyingsizes and degrees of durability.

In the following description and in the figures, like elements areidentified with like reference numerals. The use of “e.g.,” “etc.,” and“or” indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation unlessotherwise noted. The use of “including” means “including, but notlimited to,” unless otherwise noted.

With particular attention to FIGS. 1 through 7, according to a firstembodiment, the washing attachment 10 includes a main body 12 having awall 14 that at least partially circumscribes and defines therein a mainconduit 20. A cap 16 covers a distal or upper end of the main conduit20. The opposite, proximate or lower end of the main conduit 20 is anopen end 18. According to the first embodiment, the wall 14 iscylindrically shaped and the main conduit 20 passes essentially throughthe center of the main body 12.

A plurality of teeth 22 is supported by the main body 12 with each ofthe teeth 22 extending from the wall 14. According to the depictedembodiment, the teeth 22 extend essentially perpendicularly away fromthe wall 14 of the main body 12. In some embodiments, such as that shownin FIG. 1, each tooth 22 is supported at its respective base 27 by thewall 14 of the main body 12 by connection to a base member 32 thatextends along the length of the wall 14. Each tooth 22 extends away fromthe wall 14 from its base 27 toward a tip 28, which according to thedepicted embodiment is a tapering and sharp point.

Each of at least some of the teeth 22 have defined therein an extendingconduit 26 that passes from each base 27 toward the tip 28 of the tooth22 through which it passes. With particular regard to FIG. 12, eachextending conduit 26 is in communication with the main conduit 20.Further, at least one teeth opening 24 is defined in each of at leastsome of the teeth 22, which teeth openings 24 provide communicationbetween the extending conduits 26 and an external area.

With particular attention to FIGS. 9 and 10, according to the firstdepicted embodiment, the teeth openings 24 comprise back-angled notcheswithin the front side of each of the teeth 22. Also according to thisembodiment, each of the teeth 22 includes a series of multiple teethopenings 24 along the length of the tooth 22, such as between four tosix notches along a single tooth 22. With particular attention to FIG.8, according to the depicted embodiment, the teeth openings 24 aregathered proximate to the bases 27 of the plurality of teeth 22. In someembodiments, each of the teeth 22 has an equal number of equally-spacedteeth openings 24. In other embodiments, the number and spacing of theteeth openings 24 varies from one tooth 22 to the next. In still otherembodiments, some teeth 22 do not include any teeth openings 24.

According to the first depicted embodiment, the washing attachment 10includes twenty-one teeth 22, each including an extending conduit 26passing therethrough. Each of these teeth 22 terminates in a tapering,sharp tip such that the tips thereof are configured to accommodateinsertion of the plurality of teeth 22 between the brush bristles 2 of abrush 1 to be washed. Also according to the depicted embodiment, each ofthe teeth 22 is nearly equal in height, where such height is defined bythe distance between the base 27 of each of the tooth 22, where thetooth 22 is connected to the base member 32, and the tip 28 of eachtooth. Further, according to the first depicted embodiment, the teeth 22are essentially evenly spaced along the base member 32 withapproximately one-eighth inches between one tooth 22 and its neighbor.

With particular attention to FIG. 11, according to a second depictedembodiment, the teeth openings 24 comprise at least one longitudinalslit along the front side of each of the teeth 22. In other embodiments,the teeth openings 24 comprise differently shaped openings, eachproviding communication between the extending conduit 26 within thetooth 22 and an external area.

With particular attention to FIGS. 1 through 8, the washing attachment10 further includes a plurality of bristle extensions 30 supported byand extending from the wall 14 of the main body 12. According to thedepicted embodiment, the plurality of bristle extensions 30 comprise aplurality of bundles of short wires gathered at a base attached to thebase member 32 and extending essentially perpendicularly away from thewall 14, leading the end of the wires unattached at the uppermost end.The bristle extensions 30 are aligned along the bases 27 of the teeth22.

According to the depicted embodiment, the teeth 22 are arranged in afirst row extending along the width of the base member 32 and thus alongthe length of the main body 12 of the washing attachment 10. Asarranged, the teeth openings 24 of the teeth 22 are also all alignedalong the right side of the washing attachment 10. Also as depicted, thebristle extensions 30 are arranged in at least one second row along theteeth 22 in front of the teeth openings 24. Therefore, the teethopenings 24 are directed toward the bristle extensions 30. According tothe embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, the bristle extensions 30 arearranged in two rows in front of the teeth 22 and extend to a heightthat is shorter than the height of the teeth opening 24 furthest awayfrom the wall 14 along the teeth 22. As such, the bristle extensions 30do not overlap all of the teeth opening 24 along the teeth 22.

Preferably, each of the teeth openings 24 is aimed in the same directionas that of the other teeth openings 24. Therefore, in use, fluid exitingthe extending conduits 26 is aimed in one particular direction.According to the depicted embodiment, with the main body 12 of thewashing attachment 10 defining a first axis, the teeth 22 defining asecond axis that is essentially perpendicular to the first axis, thedirection of the fluid exiting the teeth openings 24 will be in adirection that is perpendicular to both the first axis and the secondaxis. Thus, if the washing attachment 10 is held parallel to the ground,the teeth 22 extending outward from the main body 12 and also parallelto the ground, the fluid exiting the teeth openings 24 will be directeddownward, toward the ground.

The washing attachment 10 further includes a hose attachment adapter 34supported by the wall 14 of the main body 12. The hose attachmentadapter 34 is configured to accommodate connection of the washingattachment 10 to a hose 52. According to the preferred embodiments, thewashing attachment 10 further includes a flow control valve 36configured to allow selective adjustment of fluid pressure of fluidpassing through the teeth openings 24 when the washing attachment 10 isin use. According to the embodiments depicted, the flow control valve 36is integrated within the hose attachment adapter 34. Utilizing the flowcontrol valve 36, then, flow of fluid through the teeth openings 24 canbe selectively ceased by manipulation of the flow control valve 36without having to shut off the hose 52 connected to the washingattachment 10. Further, when a low flow of fluid is desired, the flowcontrol valve 36 can be manipulated to limit the amount of fluid exitingthrough the teeth openings 24, and when a higher pressure of fluid isdesired, the flow control valve 36 can be manipulated to increase theamount of fluid exiting through the teeth openings 24.

With particular attention to FIGS. 13 through 15, inserting theplurality of teeth 22 of the washing attachment 10 into the brushbristles 2 of a brush 1 to be cleaned, with the toe 4 of the brush 1directed downward, the teeth openings 24 of the washing attachment 10are likewise directed downward. Preferably, to use the washingattachment 10 to wash a brush 1, the tooth 22 are inserted amongst thebrush bristles 2 near to the heel 5 of the brush bristles 2, thus nearthe ferrule 6 of the brush 1. Preferably, the teeth 22 are pushedthrough the brush bristles 2 until the tips of the bristle extensions 30are brought into contact with the brush bristles 2. Then, with fluidavailable from a connected hose 52, the flow control valve 36 can bemanipulated to allow flow of fluid through the washing attachment 10 andout through the teeth openings 24 towards the brush bristles 2 of thebrush 1 in a direction toward the toe 4 of the brush 1. This flow offluid will begin to encourage debris originally contained along thebrush bristles 2 of the brush 1 to be washed off the brush bristles 2.As fluid flows, a user can move the washing attachment 10 along thebelly 3 of the brush 1, combing the teeth 22 through the belly 3 of thebrush 1 in lines from the heel 5 to the toe 4 and further wash debrisaway while combing through the brush bristles 2. By inserting the teeth22 through the brush bristles 2 of the brush 1 to the extent that thetips of the bristle extensions 30 come in contact with the brushbristles 2, combing the teeth 22 through the brush bristles 2 furtherbrings the bristle extensions 30 into forced contact with the surface ofthe brush bristles 2 such that the bristle extensions 30 act toencourage debris to move down the belly 3 of the brush 1. As such, thefluid exiting the teeth openings 24, the teeth 22 themselves, and thebristle extensions 30 come in contact with the debris to be washed awayand encourage the debris to be washed away from the brush 1.

The washing attachment 10 is further configured for easy use to wash anobject such as a paintbrush 1. That is, the washing attachment 10 issized so as to be easily held in one hand along the main body 12 or atthe hose attachment adapter 34 area while the handle 7 of a paintbrush 1is held in the user's other hand. As such, the washing attachment 10 maybe readily positioned with the teeth openings 24 directed downward, thebrush bristles 2 likewise directed downward, and the bristle extensions30 of the washing attachment 10 in contact with the first side of thebrush 1 to be washed. After washing one side of the brush 1, the washingattachment 10 may be readily moved to be positioned with the teethopenings 24 directed downward, the brush bristles 2 likewise directeddownward, and the bristle extensions 30 of the washing attachment 10 incontact with the second side of the brush 1 to be washed. Followingwashing of the majority of the debris from the first and second sides ofthe brush 1, the brush 1 can be easily turned upside down, and the teeth22 of the washing attachment 10 reinserted into the belly 3 of the brushwith the teeth openings 24 of the washing attachment 10 directed towardthe ferrule 6 of the brush 1, thereby to wash away debris that mayremain near the heel 5 of the brush 1.

At any stage of the washing, cleaning detergent or soap may be appliedto the teeth 22 of the washing attachment 10 or to the bristleextensions 30 of the washing attachment 10 to further aid in the washingof debris from the brush 1. In some embodiments, the cleaning fluid usedby the washing attachment 10 includes a mixture of cleaning detergent orsoap and another fluid, such as water or paint thinner.

Even without a hose 52 connected to the washing attachment 10, thewashing attachment 10 may be used to comb through the brush bristles 2of a brush 1 to encourage drying of the bristles 2 and to discourageundesirable clumping of the bristles 2 as a newly-washed brush 1 dries.

In some circumstances in which the washing attachment 10 is to beutilized, the object to be washed will not be of a width equal to thewidth of the plurality of teeth 22 of the washing attachment 10.Therefore, with particular regard to FIGS. 16 through 19 and 22 through23, according to third, fourth, and seventh embodiments, the washingattachment 10 further includes a selectively-removable sleeve 42. Thesleeve 42 defines therein at least one cavity 44 configured to receivetherein at least one of the teeth 22. According to the third embodiment,shown in FIGS. 16 through 18, the sleeve 42 includes a row of cavities44 wherein each cavity 44 is configured to snugly receive therein one ofthe teeth 22 and to cover the tooth 22 from the base 27 to the tip 28.As such, placement of teeth 22 within the cavities 44 of the sleeve 42thereby discourages flow of fluid through the covered teeth openings 24when the washing attachment 10 is in use. Thus, according to thedepiction in FIG. 16, a sleeve 42 in place that covers seven of theteeth 22 of a washing attachment 10 that includes twenty-one teeth 22leaves uncovered and available for use only the remaining fourteen ofthe teeth 22. Therefore, in this configuration, the washing attachment10 with seven covered teeth 22 would be suitable for use with a dirtybrush 1 having brush bristles 2 of a width that corresponds only to thewidth of the uncovered fourteen teeth 22.

The third embodiment depicted in FIG. 16 includes cavities 44 configuredto receive only seven of the teeth 22, in other embodiments the sleeve42 includes fewer cavities 44 and still other embodiments the sleeve 42includes even more cavities 44. Therefore, the sleeve 42 can beconfigured to meet the needs of the width of the brush 1 to be washedusing the washing attachment 10.

With particular attention to FIG. 19, a sleeve 42 according to a fourthembodiment is shown in a cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 18for the third embodiment. According to this fourth embodiment, thesleeve 42 includes only one cavity 44, where such cavity 44 isconfigured to snugly receive more than one of the teeth 22.

With particular attention to FIGS. 22 and 23, according to the seventhdepicted embodiment, a sleeve 42 of a washing attachment 10 isconfigured to receive within its cavity 44 all of the teeth 22 of thewashing attachment 10. As such, the sleeve 42 is configured to beselectively, removably positioned over one or more of the teeth 22 ofthe washing attachment 10. Therefore, when the washing attachment 10 isnot in use, the sleeve 42 may be positioned as shown in FIG. 22, tocover all of the teeth 22 of the washing attachment 10. During storageof the attachment 10, then, the tips 28 of the teeth 22 are covered toprotect the teeth 22 and to prevent the tips 28 of the teeth 22 fromunintentionally contacting other objects or people, which might lead todamage or injury. During use of the attachment 10, the sleeve 42 may beselectively positioned to cover as many of the teeth 22, and thereforethe corresponding teeth openings 24, as is desirable to leave uncoveredonly those teeth 22 corresponding to the size of the object to bewashed. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, with a washing attachment 10having twenty-one teeth 22, the sleeve 42 may be positioned to coveronly eight of the teeth 22, thereby leaving available for washing of anobject only the uncovered thirteen teeth 22. After washing of an objecthaving a width corresponding to the width of the series of thirteenuncovered teeth 22, a user may selectively reposition the sleeve 42 tocover all twenty-one teeth 22. For another use in washing an objecthaving a width corresponding to only nine teeth 22, the user may againremove the sleeve 42 from the twenty-one teeth 22 and reposition thesleeve 42 to cover only twelve teeth 22, leaving nine teeth 22uncovered. Accordingly, the sleeve 42 of the washing attachment 10according to the seventh embodiment accommodates use of the washingattachment 10 for washing objects of varying sizes and for safelystoring and transporting the washing attachment 10 when not in use.

Though, the depicted sleeve 42 includes only a single cavity 44 spanningnearly the entire length of the sleeve 42, in other embodiments, thesleeve 42 includes a number of cavities 44 corresponding to the numberof teeth 22 of the washing attachment 10. Further, according to thethird, fourth, and seventh depicted embodiment, the sleeve 42 iscomprised of the translucent plastic material. In other embodiments, thesleeve 42 is comprised of an opaque material such as an opaque plasticor metal.

According to the first and second depicted embodiments, the teeth 22 andthe bristle extensions 30 of the washing attachment 10 are comprised ofa rust-resistant metal, such as steel, aluminum, or stainless steel.

With particular attention to FIG. 24, depicted is an eighth embodimentof the washing 10 attachment in which the main body 12 and teeth 22 arenarrower than the main body 12 and teeth 22 of the first embodiment. Theteeth 22 of this embodiment preferably have widths on the order of thewidth of a common hypodermic needle. The tips of the teeth 22 of thisembodiment are blunted, and the teeth 22 are arranged closer to oneanother in the array of teeth 22 than the teeth 22 of the firstembodiment. Accordingly, this eighth embodiment is conducive for use incleaning an object with finer bristles, hairs, or the like, such as afine, thin, artist's paintbrush.

In some embodiments the main body 12 of the washing attachment 10 iscomprised of a hollowed-out piece of wood, plastic, or metal. In otherembodiments, the main body 12 of the washing attachment 10 is comprisedof an extruded plastic.

According to some embodiments, such as the first and second embodiments,the hose attachment adapter 34 is adapted to receive a house outlet 54end of a hose 52 within the lower end of the washing attachment 10.According to other embodiments, such as the eighth embodiment, however,the hose attachment adapter 34 includes external threads configured toaccommodate attachment of a hose 52 to the washing attachment 10 suchthat the hose attachment adapter 34 portion of the main body 12 isconfigured to be received within the house outlet 54 end of a connectinghose 52.

It is expected that, in many circumstances in which the washingattachment 10 will be used, such as that depicted in FIG. 15, the objectto be washed will be a paintbrush and the debris to be washed away willbe paint 8. Accordingly, with particular attention to FIG. 20, diagramedis a washing system 50 in which the washing attachment 10 is connectedvia the hose attachment adapter 34 to the hose outlet 54 of a hose 52.The hose 52 is connected to a reservoir 56 via a reservoir outlet 58. Insome circumstances the reservoir 56 is a water main conduit and the hose52 is a garden hose such that the reservoir outlet 58 is a water spoutconfigured for attachment to a garden hose. In other circumstances, thereservoir 56 is a container having therein a reserve of cleaning fluid,such as water, paint thinner, soap, a mixture of soap and water, or acleaning gas. The washing system 50 further includes a waste receptacle60, preferably situated below the washing attachment 10 so as to allowpaint 8 or other debris being washed from a brush 1 to be gathered belowin the waste receptacle 60. In some such circumstances the wastereceptacle 60 comprises a bucket or garbage bag. According to FIG. 20,the waste receptacle 60 further includes a drain 61 to accommodateremoval of gathered fluid from the waste receptacle 60. As such, thewaste receptacle 60 of FIG. 20 may be a household sink.

With particular attention to FIG. 21, diagramed is a washing system 50that includes a filtration system 64 having therein a solids filter 68,a pump 70, and a secondary filter 72. Further, according to thediagrammed system of FIG. 21, the waste receptacle 60 is operativelyconnected to the filtration system 64 by a conduit passing from a wastereceptacle outlet 62 to the filtration system input 66. As such, fluidpassing from the hose 52, into the washing attachment 10, and outthrough the teeth openings 24 of the washing attachment 10 to wash thedebris from the object to be washed is collected within the wastereceptacle 60. The collected material within the waste receptacle 60will constitute a mixture of both fluid and debris. This mixture offluid and debris exits the waste receptacle 60 via the waste receptacleoutlet 62 and enters the filtration system 64 via the filtration systeminput 66. Within the filtration system 64, the mixture of fluid anddebris is first treated by the solids filter 68 then by the secondaryfilter 72 while being pumped through the filtration system 64 by thepump 70. As such, the filtration system 64 separates the debris from thefluid in the mixture and passes out of the filtration system output 74essentially debris-free fluid to be returned for use in washing theobject via the washing attachment 10. It is expected that such a washingsystem 50 as diagrammed in FIG. 21 will be particularly useful incircumstances in which the washing attachment 10 is to be used to withpaint thinner to wash a brush that was used with non-water-solublepaint.

The exemplary embodiments shown in the figures and described aboveillustrate, but do not limit, the invention. It should be understoodthat there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific formdisclosed; rather, the invention is to cover all modifications,alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit andscope of the invention as defined in the claims. For example, while theexemplary embodiments illustrate use of the washing attachment 10 inconjunction with a brush 1, the invention is not limited to use withpaintbrushes, but is also useable to clean objects such as brooms, mops,hair, fur, or the like. While the invention is not limited to use towash paint from a used paintbrush, it is expected that variousembodiments of the invention will be particularly useful in suchcircumstances. Hence, the foregoing description should not be construedto limit the scope of the invention, which is defined in the followingclaims.

Thus, while there is shown and described the present preferredembodiment of the washing attachment and system, it is to be distinctlyunderstood that this invention is not limited thereto but may bevariously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims.From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changesmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention, as defined by the following claims.

1. A washing attachment comprising: a main body having a wall at leastpartially circumscribing and defining a main conduit; a plurality ofteeth, each of said teeth being supported by and extending from saidwall from a base to a tip, each of at least some of said teeth definingan extending conduit passing from said base toward said tip, each ofsaid extending conduits being in communication with said main conduit;and a plurality of teeth openings providing communication between saidextending conduits and an external area; a plurality of bristleextensions supported by and extending from said wall, said plurality ofbristle extensions being aligned along said bases of said teeth; and ahose attachment adapter supported by said wall of said main body, saidhose attachment adapter being configured to accommodate connection ofsaid washing attachment to a hose; whereby, in use in connection withsaid hose, fluid flows from said hose, through said main conduit,through said extending conduits, and through said teeth openings to saidexternal area.
 2. The washing attachment of claim 1, further comprisinga flow control valve configured for selectively adjusting fluid pressureof fluid passing through said teeth openings when said washingattachment is in use.
 3. The washing attachment of claim 1, wherein saidteeth are aligned in a first row along said wall of said main body. 4.The washing attachment of claim 2, wherein said bristle extensions arealigned in at least one second row proximate to said first row of saidteeth.
 5. The washing attachment of claim 1, wherein said teeth openingscomprise back-angled notches defined along a front side of each of saidteeth.
 6. The washing attachment of claim 5, wherein said teeth openingsare further aligned along said front side of each of said teeth in anarea proximate to said base of said teeth.
 7. The washing attachment ofclaim 1, wherein said plurality of teeth extends essentiallyperpendicularly from said wall.
 8. The washing attachment of claim 1,wherein said teeth openings comprise slits defined along a front side ofeach of said teeth.
 9. The washing attachment of claim 1, furthercomprising a selectively removable sleeve, said sleeve defining thereinat least one cavity configured to receive therein at least one of saidteeth, whereby placement of said sleeve over at least one of said teethcovers at least one of said teeth openings, thereby discouraging flow offluid through said teeth openings covered by said sleeve when saidwashing attachment is in use.
 10. The washing attachment of claim 9,wherein said sleeve comprises a plurality of cavities, each configuredto snugly receive therein one of said teeth from said base to said tip.11. The washing attachment of claim 1, wherein said plurality of bristleextensions are aligned along an area of said wall proximate to saidteeth openings.
 12. A washing attachment comprising: a main body havinga wall at least partially circumscribing and defining a main conduit; aplurality of teeth arranged in a first row along said wall of said mainbody, each of said teeth being supported by and extending essentiallyperpendicularly from said wall from a base to a tip, each of at leastsome of said teeth defining an extending conduit passing from said basetoward said tip, said extending conduits being in communication withsaid main conduit; and a plurality of teeth openings along a front sideof each of at least some of said teeth, said plurality of teeth openingsproviding communication between said extending conduits and an externalarea; a plurality of bristle extensions supported by and extending fromsaid wall, said plurality of bristle extensions being aligned in atleast one second row along said first row and said front sides of saidteeth; and a hose attachment adapter supported by said wall of said mainbody, said hose attachment adapter being configured to accommodateconnection of said washing attachment to a hose; whereby, in use inconnection with said hose, fluid flows from said hose, through said mainconduit, through said extending conduits, through said teeth openingstoward said plurality of bristle extensions to said external area. 13.The washing attachment of claim 12, further comprising a flow controlvalve configured for selectively adjusting fluid pressure of fluidpassing through said teeth openings when said washing attachment is inuse.
 14. The washing attachment of claim 12, wherein said teeth openingscomprise back-angled notches.
 15. The washing attachment of claim 12,wherein said teeth openings are further aligned along said teeth in anarea proximate to said bases of said teeth.
 16. The washing attachmentof claim 12, further comprising a selectively removable sleeve, saidsleeve defining therein at least one cavity configured to receivetherein at least one of said teeth, whereby placement of said sleeveover at least one of said teeth covers at least one of said teethopenings, thereby discouraging flow of fluid through said teeth openingscovered by said sleeve when said washing attachment is in use.
 17. Thewashing attachment of claim 16, wherein said sleeve comprises aplurality of cavities, each configured to snugly receive therein one ofsaid teeth from said base to said tip.
 18. A washing system for washinga brush, said washing system comprising: a washing attachmentcomprising: a main body having a wall at least partially circumscribingand defining a main conduit; a plurality of teeth, each of said teethbeing supported by and extending from said wall from a base to a tip,each of at least some of said teeth defining an extending conduitpassing from said base toward said tip, said extending conduits being incommunication with said main conduit; and a plurality of teeth openingsproviding communication between said extending conduits and an externalarea; and a plurality of bristle extensions supported by and extendingfrom said wall, said plurality of bristle extensions being aligned alongsaid bases of said plurality of teeth; a reservoir containing fluid; anda hose connected to said washing attachment and to said reservoir, saidhose being configured to communicate said fluid from said reservoir tosaid main conduit within said main body of said washing attachment; saidplurality of teeth being configured to be inserted amongst brushbristles of said brush to be washed and combed through said brushbristles; whereby, in use to wash said brush, fluid flows from saidreservoir, through said hose, into said main conduit of said washingattachment, then into said extending conduits, then through said teethopenings to said external area where said fluid contacts debris alongsaid brush bristles of said brush; and whereby said teeth; said fluidfrom said teeth openings; and said plurality of bristle extensions comeinto contact with and encourage removal of debris along said brushbristles as said washing attachment is combed through said brushbristles.
 19. The washing system of claim 18, further comprising: awaste receptacle configured to receive a mixture of debris washed fromsaid brush bristles and fluid exiting said teeth openings; and afiltration system in operative connection with said waste receptacle andsaid reservoir; said filtration system being configured to receive saidmixture, to separate said debris from said fluid in said mixture, andthereafter to return said fluid to said reservoir.
 20. The washingsystem of claim 18, wherein said fluid is paint thinner.